Trunk catch or fastener



Dec, 25, 3923.

G. \NILLRINGHAUS TRUNK CATCH OR FASTENER Filed Nov. 15 1921 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR, Gusiav Willm I ATTORNEYS Dec. 25, 1923. 31,478,499

- G. WILLRINGHAUS TRUNK CATCH OR FASTENER Filed Nov. 15 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR;

Deco 25, 11923. 9,47,499

. G. WILLRINGHAUS TRUNK CATCH OR FASTENER Filed Nov. 15 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

. Gusilav Willrm 'l BY A TYTORNE ans Patented Dec. 25, 1923.

earner creme.

QUSTAV WILLRINGHAUS, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE R. NEUMANN HARDWARE CO., A. CORPORATION OF NEN' JERSEY.

TRUNK CATCH OR FASTENER.

Application filed November 15, 1921. Serial No. 515,392.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUs'rAv WILLRING- HAUs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trunk Catches or Fasteners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descrip tion of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of. this specification.

This invention relates, generally, to im-' proveme'nts in that class of catches or fasteners for use with trunks, suitcases, and the like; and, the present invention has reference, more particularly, to a novel trunk or suitcase catch or fastener provided with a simply constructed and positively acting lever-operated mechanism for bringing the two main members of the fastener or catch, one of which is secured to the body of the trunk or other container, and the other one of which is secured to the lid of the trunk or other container, firmly and securely into their locked relation, or for readily releasing the engaged elements of the catch or fastener-mechanism, when it is desired to raise the lid.

The present invention, therefore, has for its principal object to provide a novel and simply constructed, as well as a quickly and readily operated catch orfastener-mechanism for attachment to and use with the bodies and lids of trunks, suitcases, and other containers, and at the same time providing a strong and an efficiently operating means .for bringing and retaining the usual holding or retaining loop in a positively fixed closing relation, so as to guard against any accidental separation of the closed members, and against any accidental opening of the lid when shut down upon the body of the trunk, or the like.

Other objects of the present invention not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the follow ing detailed description of the present invention;

With the various objects of the present invention in view, the said invention consists, vprimarily, in the novel catch or fastener for trunks, suitcases, and other containers;

and, the said invention consists, furthermore, in the novel arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the said parts, all of which will be more fully described in the following specification, and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claims, which are appended to and which form an essential part of the said specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a trunk or suitcase catch or fastener, showing one embodiment of the principles of the present invention, the main parts of the device being represented in their locked relation; and Figure 2 is a similar view of the said catch or fastener, with the main parts of the device shown in their disengaged relation.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device represented in said Figure l; and Figure 4 is a vertical sectional representation of the same, said section being represented as being taken on line 4:4n in said. Figure 1.

- Figure 5 is a vertical sectional representation of the catch or fastener, said section being taken on line 5-5 in Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrow 00, when the various parts of the mechanism are in their holding or retaining engagement, the relation of the main body-members of the catch or fastener to the mechanism of the device being indicated in dotted outline; and Figure 6 is a similar sectional representation of the said parts of the mechanism, showing the relative positions of the latter, when in the disconnected or disengaged positions.

Figures 7 and 8 are front elevations of a modified construction of trunk or suitcase catch or fastener embodying the principles of the present invention, said views showing. respectively, the main actuating parts of the mechanism in their en aged and disengaged positions; and Figure 9 is a side elevation of the catch or fastener with the parts shown in their holding or retaining engagement. as represented in said Figure 7.

Fiimilar characte s of refererre are employed in all of the said above described views. to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings. the reference-characters and 2 indicate the respective main body-memwith a series of suitably disposed nail-reprovided with said outer bers of a trunk-catch or fastener, which members may be of any desired marginal connguration, the member 1 being provided ceiving holes 3 for attachment of said member to the body ofa trunk, suitcase, or other container, and the member 2 being'likewise a series of nail-receiving holes, as l, for its attachment to the lid or cover of the said body, in the manner usual with such catches or fasteners for trunks, suitcases, and the like.

As shown, the main body-member 1 has suitably disposed. upon its outer face a shell or box-like element comprising a main faceplate 5 and a pair of side-flanges or walls 6, extending rearwardly from said faceplate' 5 toward and resting directly upon face of themember 1, the said side-flanges or walls 6 being preferably pro 'VlClQCl with marginal fastening lugs or ears,

as 7, which are passed into and through correspondingly disposed slits in said main member 1, and are then bent upon the back 'of said member, to thereby secure these parts in their assembled relation. It will be understood, however, that other suitable fastening means may be employed for'securing said shell or box-like element upon the outer face of the said body-member 1.

Similarly, the {other main body-member 2ha's suitably disposed upon its outer face a loop-receiving catch-member or enlarge- 'rnent, usually in the form of hollow shell or box-like element, comprising a main faceplate 8 and the rearwardly extending fiane es or walls 9.; adapted to rest upon the V outer face of said member 2, said flanges or walls 9 beingalso preferably provided with marginal fastening-lugs or cars, as 10,

which are passed into and through correspondingly disposed 'slitsin said member 2, and are then bent upon the back of said member, to thereby secure these parts in their assembled relation It will be understood, however, that other suitablefastem .ing means may be employed for securin this loop-receiving catch-member or enlargement upon the outer face of said bodymember 2. The upper edge-portion of the said faceplate 8 andthe rearwa-rdly extending flange or wall 9 adjacent thereto, are formed in such a'manner, so as to produce an upwardly extending rib or extension,

'as'll, whereby a retaining or fastening loopreceiving depression or recess 12 is provided, as Wlll be evident and for the purposes to be presently more fully described. I V Movably disposed withinthe shell or box like element, which is secured to the outer face of the main body-memberl, and between the "rearwardly extending flanges or walls 6 of said shell or box-like element is a slide'13. the upper edge-portion 14: of which projects from the upper open end of said shell or box-like element, said projecting end or edge-portion 14 being formed with an eye-port1on, as 15, with whichis pivotally' connected, the lower end-portions 17 of arwire securing'or retaining loop 18,

which is adapted to be brought into separable retaining or holding engagement with the. loop-receiving depression or recess 12, back of the rib or extension 11 of the previously mentioned loop-receiving catch mem b er, block or enlargement which is secured to the outer face of the said main bodymember 2. As shown; the said slide 13 is" vided being bounded by an arc-shaped por- 7 tion. as 21, which produces a slight studre'ceiving' portion, substantially as shown. 7 Suitably secured at its end-portion 23 to the main body-member 1, in the proper lo cation, is a pivot-stud 24, the said stud extending'in a forward direction through a hole or perforation 25 in said body-member 1, then into and through a correspondingly located hole orrperforation' 26 in thefaceplate 5 .of the shell-or box-like member which is secured uponsaid: body-member 1,

the free end-portion of said pivot-stud 24- eing headed, as at 27, and extending through a spacing discor washer 28,, and having mounted upon said stud 24:, directly back of its head 27 the perforated end-portion 30 of a downwardly extending operatingr arm or lever 29, which. is provided at its free end-portion with a suitably formedfinger-piece 31, or the like. The said arm. or lever 29 is also provided withranother.rearwardly projecting stud or pin, as:32. which extends through a hole;

or perforation-83 in the spacing disc' or washer 28 and through 'a'correspondingly located arc-shaped slot or opening '34: in the face-plate: 5,-the free end-portion of said stud or pin '32 terminating in the junction of the two slots ,or openings 19 and 20 of the slide 13, under normal conditions, when the several parts of the fastener or catch are in their locked or retaining engagement,

shown in said Figures 1, 3, 4; and ofthe drawings.

The operation for the securing or retaining loop 16in an up ward direction, so as to bring the connecting member'18 of said loop into its raised disen gaged position from the loop-receivin rrdepression or recess 12 and above the rib or extenslon 11 willbe clearly understood from moving the sl ide 13 and said Figuresfi and 6 of the drawings, the i lever or arm 29when moved from the position indicatedi'n Figures 1 and 5 to the position shown'in Figures 2 and 6 causingthe stud or pin 32 to move in the arc-shaped slot or opening of the slide, whereby, as will be clearly evident, the slide 13 receives acorresponding movement in 'an upward direction, until the parts of the fastener or catch have been brought into theirunlocked or disengaged relation, as shown in said Figures 2 and 6. The holding or retaining loop can now be swung in a forward direction, over said rib or extension 11, to permit of the lid of the trunk, suitcase, or other container to be raised, as will be clearly evident. When the lid is again closed down upon the body of the trunk, or the like, the holding or retaining loop 16 is again moved into a position so that its connecting'member 18 is located above the receivin'gdepress'ion or recess 12, andthe lever or arm 29 being rotated from the'position indicated in 'sa-id Figures 2 and 6 to that shown in said Figures 1 and 5, the above described action ofthe several parts is reversed, and the slide 13 being moved in a downward direction, the loop-member 16 is'again drawn into its tightly locked or engagedrelation with the loopreceiving catch-member, block, or enlargement of the main body-member 2, as will be clearly understood.

If desired, the main body-member 1 may be provided with the usual receiving socket 2-2 for reception of the guiding'tongue 34 which extends from the body-member 2, as is usual in trunk-catches or fasteners, and as shown in the several figures of the drawings. Referring now to Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings, I have shown therein 'a modified trunk-catch or fastener, the generalconstruction of which, however, still embodies the principles of the present invention.

In said figures, thereferencecharacters 35 and 36 indicate the respective main bodymembers of this form of trunk-catch or fastener, the member 35'being provided with a series of nail-receiving holes 37 for attachment to the body of a trunk, or the like, and

the member 36 being likewise provided with a series of nail-receiving holes or perforations 38, for its attachment to the lid or cover of the trunk-body, or the like.

Suitably disposed upon and secured to the outer face of said body-member 35 is a shell or box-like element 39 with which are pivot ally connected the end-portions 41 of a wire securing or retaining body 40, formed with a connecting member 42, the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

Suitably secured upon the outer face of the main member 36 is: a shell or box-like member 43, similar in construction to the herein-above described shell or box-like member, used in connection with the style of trunk-catch or fastener illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, the said shell or boxlike member 43 having movably disposed therein a slide 44, the lower end portion of which projects from the lower open end of said shell or box-like member 43 and being provided with a suitably bent or hook-shaped portion, as 45, with which the previously mentioned connecting member 42 of the securing or retaining loop may be brought into separable holding or retaining engagement, as will be clearly evident from an inspection of said Figures 7 and 9 of the drawings.

This slid-e 44 is operated precisely in the same manner as the slide 13 used in connection with the trunk-catch or fastener described in connect-ion with said Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, being operated by an arm or lever 46, having a finger-piece, as 47, and the pins or studs 48 and 49, similar in arrangement and action as those heretofore de scribed in connection with said Figures 1 to 6 inclusive. A disc or washer, as 50, may also be disposed between the said arm or lever 46, and the outer face of the said shell or box like member 43, as shown I 1 Of course, the operation of the device herei'nabove described, and as shown in said Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings will be clearly evident, and any further description of the same is therefore deemed unnecessary. v

I am fully aware that some changes may be made inthe general arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts -compr1s1ng a trunk-catch or fastener of the general character herein-before set forth,

without departing from the scope of the present invention asset forth in the present specification, and as defined in the clauses of the claims which are appended thereto. Hence I do not limit my present invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts as described in the said specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts, as shown in the accompanying drawings.

I claim 1. A catch or fastener for trunks, and the like, comprising an upper and a lower bodymember, a box-like element mounted upon said lower body-member, said element being provided with an arc-shaped slot, a slide within said box-like element, said slide having aportion projecting from said box-like element, and said slide being provided with an angularly shaped slot, a retaining loop pivotally connected with the projecting portion of the slide, a loopreceiving element mounted upon the other body-member, with which said loop is adapted to be brought into engagement for bringing said body-members into locked relation, a pivot-stud projecting from said lower body-member, through the slot in said slide, and through a perforation in said box-like element and projecting beyond the outer face of the latter, an arm mounted the like, comprising an upper and a lower body-member, a box-like member mounted upon one of said body-members, said element. being provided withan arc-shaped slot,a slide within SitldbOX-lllit? element,

said slide being provided with an angularly shaped'slot, a pivot-Stud projecting from the body-member upon which said box-like element is mounted, said stud extending through the slot in said slide, and through a perforation in said box-like element and projecting beyond the outer face of the latter, an arm mounted upon the projecting portion of said pivot-stud, a second stud extending rearwardly from said arm, through the slot in said box-like element'and into the slot in said slide formoving said slide when the arm is actuated, and mutually engaging retaining means comprising two members for bringing said body-members into locked relation, one of said members being mounted upon said slide and the'other member being mounted upon the other body-member. I

, 3. A catch or fastenerfor trunks,andthe 1 like, comprising an upper and a lower body- K161111081, a box-like member mounted upon ing provided with an angularly shaped slot,

a pivot-stud projecting from the-body-member upon'which said box-like element is mounted, said stud extending through the beyond the outer face of the latter, an arm mounted upon the projecting portion of said pivot-stud, a second stud extending rear- 'wardly from said arm, through the slot in said box-like element and into the slot in said slide for moving said slide when the 7 arm is actuated, the other body-member being provided with an, enlargement, and

means connected with said slide adapted to i ing provided with an arc-shaped slot, a slide within said box-like element, said slide being 7 provided with an, angularly shaped, slot, a pivot'stud projecting from the body-member .upon'which said box-like element is mounted,

, said studextending through the slot in said (iii slide, and through a perforation in said boxlike element and projecting beyond the outer face of the latter, anarm mounted upon the projecting portion of said pivot-stud, a

second stud extending rearwardly from moving said slide when the arm is actuated,

a loopereceiving element mounted upon the other body-member and a retaining loop connected with saidslide said loop being adapted to be brought into engagement with said loop-receiving element for bringing said body-members into lockedrelation. V

. In testimony, that I claim'the'invention set forth above Ihavehereunto 'setmy hand this 14th day of November, 1921.

GUSTAV VVILLRINGHAUS;

-Witnesses: 7 1 V FREDK. C. FRAENTZEL,

EVA E. DESCH. 

